News for Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Stories

Sixteen Amish men and women who have lived rural, self-sufficient lives surrounded by extended family and with little outside contact are facing regimented routines in a federal prison system where almost half of inmates are behind bars for drug offenses and modern conveniences, such as television, will be a constant temptation.

The star dancer accused of masterminding the attack on the Bolshoi ballet chief acknowledged Thursday that he gave the go-ahead for the attack, but told a Moscow court that he did not order anyone to throw acid on the artistic director's face.

A woman accused of cheating an Indian household servant out of hundreds of thousands of dollars in pay and keeping her a virtual prisoner at a mansion testified Thursday that a tape recording that appears to show she knew the woman was in the country illegally was not her voice.

France has yet to hit bottom. The unemployment rate in Europe's second-largest economy rose again in the last quarter of last year to 10.6 percent, putting new pressure on President Francois Hollande's rollout a controversial labor-market reform.

The focus of a small-town prostitution scandal has turned to a Zumba fitness instructor captured in scores of sex videos now that an insurance agent accused of being her business partner has been convicted.

The U.N. Security Council, ignoring threats from North Korea, is set to impose a fourth round of even tougher sanctions against Pyongyang in a fresh attempt to rein in its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

France's unemployment rate climbed again in the fourth quarter of last year, reaching 10.6 percent and bearing new pressure on the sluggish French economy as President Francois Hollande's Socialists roll out a controversial labor-market reform.

After four tumultuous years bookended by an unprecedented recall crisis and a return to the top of the global auto industry, Akio Toyoda is refashioning Toyota Motor Corp. into a leaner company that's more imbued with the venture spirit of founder Kiichiro Toyoda, his grandfather.

The possible game-winning shot that Klay Thompson missed in a last-second loss at Sacramento earlier this season will no longer be the second-year guard's enduring memory of the Northern California series.

Blake Griffin had 23 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists for his third career triple-double, and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 117-101 on Wednesday night for their 10th win in 13 games.

Council says change would create monopoly

Chinese officials on Thursday castigated a Tibetan monastery at the center of a wave of self-immolations, saying it has been inciting the fiery protests. They also indicated that authorities will not relax controls over the region.

Jonas Hiller faced only 18 shots in his first shutout of the season, Corey Perry scored in the first period and the Anaheim Ducks beat the Phoenix Coyotes 2-0 on Wednesday night for their ninth straight home victory.

Malaysia is reinforcing efforts to block armed Filipino intruders from escaping by sea or vanishing into Borneo's population following deadly clashes that prompted the U.N. chief to urge both sides to seek a peaceful resolution.

The wife of billionaire real estate mogul Sam Zell is giving $50 million to support the University of Michigan's acclaimed graduate writing program. The donation, to be announced Thursday, is believed to be by far the largest ever gift to such a program, and comes at a time when most major gifts to higher education are supporting science, not the humanities.

Travis Taylor had 19 points and a career-high 19 rebounds on Wednesday night, and Xavier never trailed in the overtime while beating No. 16 Saint Louis 77-66, ending the Billikens' 11-game winning streak and leaving the Atlantic 10 title up for grabs.

Sen. Rand Paul's self-described filibuster blocking confirmation of President Barack Obama's nominee to lead the CIA pushed into Thursday, more than 12 hours after the Kentucky Republican and tea party favorite began speaking.

Dirk Nowitzki scored 22 points, O.J. Mayo had two big fourth-quarter baskets and a career-high 12 assists, and the Dallas Mavericks bounced back from a blowout loss in Houston with a 112-108 victory over the Rockets on Wednesday night.